Abstract A security cage is provided which has particular utility in handling bulk mail, although it has general use, as will become evident as the description proceeds. The cage has an intermediate shelf and a bottom shelf, both of which are hinged, and both of which may be turned to an upright position to permit the cage to receive other like cages in a nested relationship through its open front end. The cage also has a pair of lower gates which are hinged to upright posts and which, when closed, enclose the lower portion of the open front. These lower gates may be turned back out of the way when the cage is to receive a like cage in nested relationship. The lower gates are held in a closed and locked condition when the intermediate shelf is turned down so that its forward edge engages the upper ends of the gates. The cage also includes an upper gate which is hinged to the forward edge of the intermediate shelf, and which may be turned up to a closed condition in which it encloses the upper portion of the open front end of the cage. The upper gate may be locked or sealed in its closed position, and when so locked or sealed, the entire structure is maintained in a secure condition, since the intermediate shelf cannot be turned up to release the lower gates until the upper gate has been opened. The upper gate may be turned back onto the upper shelf, and turned up with the upper shelf when the cage is to receive the second cage in the aforesaid nested relationship.
A nestable security cage comprising: a lower frame member having a rear end and an open front end, and having side members diverging outwardly from the rear end to the open front end; a pair of upright posts attached to said frame member adjacent the front end thereof; a first transverse member interconnecting the upper ends of said upright posts; a plurality of additional transverse members supported by said posts and enclosing the rear end, the top and the sides of the cage, said transverse members diverging from the rear end to the open front end of the cage; a bottom member supported on said lower frame member; a pair of lower gates hinged to said upright posts and extending across the front end of the cage when in a closed position to enclose a lower portion of the front end of the cage; and an intermediate shelf member supported above said bottom member in spaced relationship therewith and movable to a position in which the forward edge of said intermediate shelf member engages the upper ends of said lower gates to lock the lower gates in their closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A nestable security cage comprising: a lower frame member having a rear end and an open front end, and having side members diverging outwardly from the rear end to the open front end; a pair of upright posts attached to said frame member adjacent the front end thereof; a first transverse member interconnecting the upper ends of said upright posts; a plurality of additional transverse members supported by said posts and enclosing the rear end, the top and the sides of the cage, said transverse members diverging from the rear end to the open front end of the cage; a bottom member supported on said lower frame member; a pair of lower gates hinged to said upright posts and extending across the front end of the cage when in a closed position to enclose a lower portion of the front end of the cage; and an intermediate shelf member supported above said bottom member in spaced relationship therewith and movable to a position in which the forward edge of said intermediate shelf member engages the upper ends of said lower gates to lock the lower gates in their closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nestable security cage defined in claim 1, and which includes a plurality of wheels attached to and depending from said lower frame member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The nestable security cage defined in claim 1, and which includes an upper gate hinged at its lower edge to the forward edge of said intermediate shelf, and movable to a closed position for enclosing the upper portion of the front end of the cage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The nestable security cage defined in claim 1, in which said bottom member and said intermediate shelf member each includes a hinged portion which may be turned up towards the rear end of the cage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The nestable security cage defined in claim 3, and which includes lock means mounted at the upper edge of said upper gate and said first transverse member for locking the upper gate in its closed position and for concomitantly maintaining the forward edge of said intermediate shelf member in engagement with the upper ends of said lower gaTes.